Southampton shamed by World Health Organisation for breaching air pollution levels

SOUTHAMPTON has been named and shamed by the World Health Organisation for breaching safety levels for air pollution.

The majority of pollution is generated by traffic on the roads, with gridlock a well-known problem in the city particularly over recent months.

One way to measure air quality is to assess the levels of a type of pollution known as particulate matter (PMs).

And Southampton is one of nine UK towns and cities who breach the WHO's annual 'safe level' for PM10, along with the likes of Birmingham, Sheffield and London.

Dr Flavia Bustreo WHO assistant director-general for family, children and women's health, said: “Too many urban centres today are so enveloped in dirty air that their skylines are invisible.

''Not surprisingly, this air is dangerous to breathe. So a growing number of cities and communities worldwide are striving to better meet the needs of their residents - in particular children and the elderly.''

South East Green Party MEP Keith Taylor said the news was unsurprising and a real concern.

He said: “I have been very concerned about the air pollution in Southampton for several years now. The risks highlighted by the WHO together with British doctors point to air pollution, mainly from traffic, being the second biggest environmental killer.”

As reported by the Daily Echo, city council public health boss Cllr Dave Shields last month told a public meeting Southampton had a “wake-up call” over air pollution and pledged to find a solution.

The council also has an Air Quality Action Plan, Local Transport Strategy and My Journey initiative that all look at making improvements to air quality in the city.

Mr Taylor added the city council and the Government should encourage people to use public transport, bicycles and walking to reduce emissions.

It comes after Department of Health figures released in January revealed people are more likely to die from the effects of air pollution than anywhere else in Hampshire.

Around 6.31 per cent of deaths in Southampton are attributed to air pollution - the sixth highest anywhere in the south east of England - and an increase from 6.20 per cent in 2010.

And as reported by the Daily Echo in spring 2013, the city was put on high alert after contaminated clouds drifted across the English Channel from a chemical factory in the French city of Rouen.

public transport would be a good idea but the point is cost , Take the trains for example it costs almost £4.00 for a day return to Totton from Southampton leaving at 0700 and returning at 1730. for a journey of no more than 3 miles with the average car achieving about 35 miles per gallon around £6.00 , you could almost achieve 6 return journeys for the price of a gallon of petrol , but if you add traffic delays it does not add up to use a train , I have not priced the cost of a bus fare , But the same old thing comes up time and time again to use public transport to cut pollution , when the maths simply do not add up

+

public transport would be a good idea but the point is cost , Take the trains for example it costs almost £4.00 for a day return to Totton from Southampton leaving at 0700 and returning at 1730. for a journey of no more than 3 miles with the average car achieving about 35 miles per gallon around £6.00 , you could almost achieve 6 return journeys for the price of a gallon of petrol , but if you add traffic delays it does not add up to use a train , I have not priced the cost of a bus fare , But the same old thing comes up time and time again to use public transport to cut pollution , when the maths simply do not add up
+allstar

If people knew what this was doing to the tiny lungs of their children they might take some notice. These particles actually get lodged in the lungs. If you do a lot of exercise or run around like kids do and breathe deeply this is when you are most at risk and why kids are the highest risk group of developing serious lung disease either now or later in life.
If the particle is small and it gets very far into the lungs, special cells in the lung trap the particles and then they can't get out and this can result in lung disease, emphysema, lung cancer.
So parents when you jump in the car to take your kids to school, just think, you are actually putting them and other children at risk of disease but I know you will still do the same tomorrow, because it's easy right?

If people knew what this was doing to the tiny lungs of their children they might take some notice. These particles actually get lodged in the lungs. If you do a lot of exercise or run around like kids do and breathe deeply this is when you are most at risk and why kids are the highest risk group of developing serious lung disease either now or later in life.
If the particle is small and it gets very far into the lungs, special cells in the lung trap the particles and then they can't get out and this can result in lung disease, emphysema, lung cancer.
So parents when you jump in the car to take your kids to school, just think, you are actually putting them and other children at risk of disease but I know you will still do the same tomorrow, because it's easy right?bigfella777

I don’t believe it. Southampton is coastal, with more wind than the other cities mentioned - which are all inland. And there has been storms here throughout winter – so pollution should be zero for 3 months. Unless the particles are carried here in wind and rain from Europe, like the Sahara sand dumped on us last month – and then it's not created here

I don’t believe it. Southampton is coastal, with more wind than the other cities mentioned - which are all inland. And there has been storms here throughout winter – so pollution should be zero for 3 months. Unless the particles are carried here in wind and rain from Europe, like the Sahara sand dumped on us last month – and then it's not created heregood-gosh

It can be done with some thought
TALLINN, Estonia — Last January, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, did something that no other city its size had done before: It made all public transit in the city free for residents.

City officials made some bold predictions about what would result. There would be a flood of new passengers on Tallinn’s buses and trams — as many as 20 percent more riders. Carbon emissions would decline substantially as drivers left their cars at home and rode transit instead. And low-income residents would gain new access to jobs that they previously couldn’t get to. As Mayor Edgar Savisaar likes to say, zeroing out commuting costs was for some people as good as receiving a 13th month of salary.

It can be done with some thought
TALLINN, Estonia — Last January, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, did something that no other city its size had done before: It made all public transit in the city free for residents.
City officials made some bold predictions about what would result. There would be a flood of new passengers on Tallinn’s buses and trams — as many as 20 percent more riders. Carbon emissions would decline substantially as drivers left their cars at home and rode transit instead. And low-income residents would gain new access to jobs that they previously couldn’t get to. As Mayor Edgar Savisaar likes to say, zeroing out commuting costs was for some people as good as receiving a 13th month of salary.allstar

I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.

The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.

I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.

I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.
The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.
I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.undefined weavel

undefined weavel wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.

The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.

I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.

A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?

[quote][p][bold]undefined weavel[/bold] wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.
The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.
I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.[/p][/quote]A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?thinklikealocal

undefined weavel wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.

The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.

I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.

A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?

Correction. a cabinet minister earns £135,000. Five times that of a social worker...... Still agree that social workers should take a reduction in their 'cabinet level salaries' to fund air quality improvements in Southampton?

[quote][p][bold]thinklikealocal[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]undefined weavel[/bold] wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.
The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.
I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.[/p][/quote]A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?[/p][/quote]Correction. a cabinet minister earns £135,000. Five times that of a social worker...... Still agree that social workers should take a reduction in their 'cabinet level salaries' to fund air quality improvements in Southampton?thinklikealocal

skeptik wrote:
Itchen bridge should be made into free flow traffic without tolls. Miles of backed up traffic spewing out pollution every rush hour is plain wrong.

Take away the tolls and you increase the traffic? Ever considered that?

[quote][p][bold]skeptik[/bold] wrote:
Itchen bridge should be made into free flow traffic without tolls. Miles of backed up traffic spewing out pollution every rush hour is plain wrong.[/p][/quote]Take away the tolls and you increase the traffic? Ever considered that?thinklikealocal

allstar wrote:
public transport would be a good idea but the point is cost , Take the trains for example it costs almost £4.00 for a day return to Totton from Southampton leaving at 0700 and returning at 1730. for a journey of no more than 3 miles with the average car achieving about 35 miles per gallon around £6.00 , you could almost achieve 6 return journeys for the price of a gallon of petrol , but if you add traffic delays it does not add up to use a train , I have not priced the cost of a bus fare , But the same old thing comes up time and time again to use public transport to cut pollution , when the maths simply do not add up

+

Great if you don't have to pay to park. If you did, train would be better. A great argument to widen parking charges.

[quote][p][bold]allstar[/bold] wrote:
public transport would be a good idea but the point is cost , Take the trains for example it costs almost £4.00 for a day return to Totton from Southampton leaving at 0700 and returning at 1730. for a journey of no more than 3 miles with the average car achieving about 35 miles per gallon around £6.00 , you could almost achieve 6 return journeys for the price of a gallon of petrol , but if you add traffic delays it does not add up to use a train , I have not priced the cost of a bus fare , But the same old thing comes up time and time again to use public transport to cut pollution , when the maths simply do not add up
+[/p][/quote]Great if you don't have to pay to park. If you did, train would be better. A great argument to widen parking charges.thinklikealocal

mickey01 wrote:
not surprised given the amount of traffic lights this city has got and the congestion this council has caused with its greed

I'm really struggling with the connection. Between council greed and traffic lights.

[quote][p][bold]mickey01[/bold] wrote:
not surprised given the amount of traffic lights this city has got and the congestion this council has caused with its greed[/p][/quote]I'm really struggling with the connection. Between council greed and traffic lights.thinklikealocal

mickey01 wrote:
not surprised given the amount of traffic lights this city has got and the congestion this council has caused with its greed

I'm really struggling with the connection. Between council greed and traffic lights.

[quote][p][bold]mickey01[/bold] wrote:
not surprised given the amount of traffic lights this city has got and the congestion this council has caused with its greed[/p][/quote]I'm really struggling with the connection. Between council greed and traffic lights.thinklikealocal

undefined weavel wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.

The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.

I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.

A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?

Changes to encourage cycling? Are you having a laugh? That new junction has been more successful at DISCOURAGING people from cycling because not only is it confusing but it's also **** well dangerous, not fit for purpose and is the COMPLETE opposite of what the council SAID would be installed, a better Idea would be to only allow pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, buses and taxis to use the Itchen bridge and at the new junction, at least put in filter lights to allow cyclists to set off 10 to 20 secons before motorised traffic but everything has to stop for the SAME red light.

[quote][p][bold]thinklikealocal[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]undefined weavel[/bold] wrote:
I think the problem lies with the council. Look at the situation at present so many road works and lane closures across the city that everything is at a standstill. It was sad yesterday that several gateways to the city were all clogged up, not just the one at commercial road. Get someone in charge who can plan the road works in the city to cause minimal disruption.
The other thing I am surprised Southampton does not do is have a park and ride site. Personally I would install one at the exit to the M3 and then have an express bus service operated with hybrid buses every 10 minutes. Should help reduce traffic on the Avenue at rush hour.
I am also surprised by the lack of cycling in the city, mainly because the traffic is so bad. Southampton needs to make sure it makes this appealing, by making it easy, so ample cycle storage, dropped kerbs for bikes on cycle routes safe cycling routes, and better planned roadworks to allow for the movement of cyclists. But this probably won't happen because it will need a government grant, as the council will not want to sacrifice their own salaries to pay for the work to be done. There is enough money in the city if they were more efficient and did not want to match their own salary's to the likes of the UK cabinet colleagues.[/p][/quote]A cabinet minister earns about £90,000 (plus perks and we all know about them....) Very few staff at SCC earning that kind of money... The council recently made changes to itchen bridge to encourage cycling and it was universally moaned and droned about...... Raising parking charges is also key to reducing cars coming into the city, again, always meets with universal condemnation. Can't win comes to mind.... We'll done for swallowing the Tory line that everything is local councils blame. The same people taking all the money out of local government leading to reductions in bus subsidies and making many of the things you talk about even more of a pipe dream. Where are the so many roadworks?[/p][/quote]Changes to encourage cycling? Are you having a laugh? That new junction has been more successful at DISCOURAGING people from cycling because not only is it confusing but it's also **** well dangerous, not fit for purpose and is the COMPLETE opposite of what the council SAID would be installed, a better Idea would be to only allow pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, buses and taxis to use the Itchen bridge and at the new junction, at least put in filter lights to allow cyclists to set off 10 to 20 secons before motorised traffic but everything has to stop for the SAME red light.Ginger_cyclist

Southampton is a permanent traffic jam. It's the result of years of under-investment in public transport, missed opportunities for mass-transit systems (the monorail and trams) and the progressive cramming of car-centred developments in the town centre.

And this is just the start. Massive residential developments at Woolston and Ocean Village combined with he next phase of west quay with shops, cinema , hotels and possible super-casino. The situation is not going to improve.

Southampton is a permanent traffic jam. It's the result of years of under-investment in public transport, missed opportunities for mass-transit systems (the monorail and trams) and the progressive cramming of car-centred developments in the town centre.
And this is just the start. Massive residential developments at Woolston and Ocean Village combined with he next phase of west quay with shops, cinema , hotels and possible super-casino. The situation is not going to improve.mr.southampton

I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open & traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays & little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?

I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open & traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays & little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?loosehead

skeptik wrote:
Itchen bridge should be made into free flow traffic without tolls. Miles of backed up traffic spewing out pollution every rush hour is plain wrong.
Take away the tolls and you increase the traffic? Ever considered that?---------------
-Yes I did, in the knowledge that the increase will occur with the new area of domestic residence at the old industrial are of Woolston there are maybe three routes out, Thus making the toll even more nonsensical.

thinklikealocal says...
skeptik wrote:
Itchen bridge should be made into free flow traffic without tolls. Miles of backed up traffic spewing out pollution every rush hour is plain wrong.
Take away the tolls and you increase the traffic? Ever considered that?---------------
-Yes I did, in the knowledge that the increase will occur with the new area of domestic residence at the old industrial are of Woolston there are maybe three routes out, Thus making the toll even more nonsensical.skeptik

loosehead wrote:
I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open &amp; traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays &amp; little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?

Or how about asking why so many parents decide to send their children to schools miles away from where they actually live?

Another area that's worth considering is reducing the number of unnecessary vehicle movements to and from our hospitals - by staff, visitors, outpatients etc. What we need is a first class (i.e. clean, reliable and affordable) public transport system to the General, RSH, Moorgreen and Western Hospitals coupled with a shift of more clinical activity into primary care centres accessible 7 days a week. Did I hear anyone mention walk-in centres?

[quote][p][bold]loosehead[/bold] wrote:
I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open & traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays & little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?[/p][/quote]Or how about asking why so many parents decide to send their children to schools miles away from where they actually live?
Another area that's worth considering is reducing the number of unnecessary vehicle movements to and from our hospitals - by staff, visitors, outpatients etc. What we need is a first class (i.e. clean, reliable and affordable) public transport system to the General, RSH, Moorgreen and Western Hospitals coupled with a shift of more clinical activity into primary care centres accessible 7 days a week. Did I hear anyone mention walk-in centres?FoysCornerBoy

I thought bits of damaged lung got coughed up and new bits are renewed – seem to remember coughing up lumps of spongy stuff as a child – but in those days there was nothing wrong with you so long as you were still running about.

I thought bits of damaged lung got coughed up and new bits are renewed – seem to remember coughing up lumps of spongy stuff as a child – but in those days there was nothing wrong with you so long as you were still running about.good-gosh

loosehead wrote:
I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open &amp; traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays &amp; little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?

Or how about asking why so many parents decide to send their children to schools miles away from where they actually live?

Another area that's worth considering is reducing the number of unnecessary vehicle movements to and from our hospitals - by staff, visitors, outpatients etc. What we need is a first class (i.e. clean, reliable and affordable) public transport system to the General, RSH, Moorgreen and Western Hospitals coupled with a shift of more clinical activity into primary care centres accessible 7 days a week. Did I hear anyone mention walk-in centres?

I actually wanted Whiteheads mono rail system & was deeply disappointed with the Tory government for turning it down.
I've been looking at flats now I don't care what Government started this but how are blocks of flats allowed to be built with only parking for a third of the flats?
This clogs up surrounding streets & instead of this a cheaper bus service where it's cheaper than driving a car has to be the way maybe developers could be made to put money towards subsidising public transport?
Yes I'm a Tory but still can see the sense in a scheme like this.

[quote][p][bold]FoysCornerBoy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]loosehead[/bold] wrote:
I have driven over four post hill at 08.30am whilst schools were open & traffic builds up I've also driven over that same place whilst there were school holidays & little or no traffic so I can only come to the conclusion the traffic jams in this city from 08-00am to 09-00am are because of the school runs.
this also adds to pollution so what are our council going to do about school runs?[/p][/quote]Or how about asking why so many parents decide to send their children to schools miles away from where they actually live?
Another area that's worth considering is reducing the number of unnecessary vehicle movements to and from our hospitals - by staff, visitors, outpatients etc. What we need is a first class (i.e. clean, reliable and affordable) public transport system to the General, RSH, Moorgreen and Western Hospitals coupled with a shift of more clinical activity into primary care centres accessible 7 days a week. Did I hear anyone mention walk-in centres?[/p][/quote]I actually wanted Whiteheads mono rail system & was deeply disappointed with the Tory government for turning it down.
I've been looking at flats now I don't care what Government started this but how are blocks of flats allowed to be built with only parking for a third of the flats?
This clogs up surrounding streets & instead of this a cheaper bus service where it's cheaper than driving a car has to be the way maybe developers could be made to put money towards subsidising public transport?
Yes I'm a Tory but still can see the sense in a scheme like this.loosehead